Chris, a 42-year-old man with a salt-and-pepper beard and weary eyes, stood in the attic, intrigued by the old computer he had unearthed from a pile of boxes. "I wonder if this thing still works," he mused aloud as he wiped the dust off the screen and moved to power it on.

As Chris touched the keyboard, a jolt of energy surged through him, lifting him off his feet. His body convulsed, and in an instant, his world went dark. When he opened his eyes, he felt different—stronger, younger. He looked down to see his legs glowing in vivid blue and red, and his skin gleaming with a metallic sheen. "What... happened to me?" he gasped, bewildered by his reflection in the computer screen.

Chris staggered, trying to comprehend his transformation. His once human face was now a mask of sleek metal, his eyes glowing like two radiant beacons. The sensation of raw power coursed through his metallic limbs. "I'm... a machine," he whispered, a mix of awe and fear in his voice.

Chris realized he was no longer bound to the physical world. He was in a digital realm, a virtual reality where he could move with unrestrained speed and agility. "I am the Metal Man now," he declared, feeling a newfound sense of purpose as he embraced his role as a protector in this new dimension.

Determined to help, Chris surged forward, his metallic form cutting through the virtual space with ease. He reached out, his fingers emitting beams of light that unraveled the code, freeing the trapped data streams. "You are safe now," he assured them, his voice resonating with authority and kindness.

Chris realized that his transformation, though unexpected, was a gift—a chance to save and protect in ways he never imagined. "I may have lost my humanity, but I've gained something far greater," he reflected, accepting his new identity as the Metal Man, the guardian of the virtual realm.